Accuracy of Available Methods to Evaluate Vierendeel Failure Load

Abstract

To suggest cost-effective designs of steel beams with circular opening under Vierendeel failure, computational results of the available methods such as SCI P100, SCI P355, Chung et al.’s formula and Panedpojaman and Rongram (PPM)’s formula for evaluating the load carrying capacity based on Vierendeel failure is investigated. The failure load are investigated, in terms of the normalized moment-shear interactions for the steel beams and the maximum shear loads for the cellular beams, and compared with finite element analysis. A total of 114 non-linear finite element models of steel beams with singular openings and cellular beams are used in this study that covers various beam section sizes and opening parameters. Comparing with the FE results, the available methods conservatively provide the failure loads for steel beams with a single opening and cellular beams. It is also found that sizes of the steel sections less affect the FE interaction curve’s shape. The interactions are slightly degraded for the large opening ratio. Comparing with the FE analysis, SCI P100, SCI P355, Chung et al.’s formula and PPM’s formula are conservative to evaluate the interaction up to 40%, 25%, 20% and 10% respectively, under the high shear ratios. However, the methods provide the less conservative interaction and the Vierendeel failure load under the high moment ratios.